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The presence of the glowing fire pits dotting the beaches of San
Diego are akin to the shops and markets that denote a walking
neighborhood. They make what would otherwise be a dark and desolate,
unwelcoming landscape, into a lively, vibrant and almost magical place.

I
think that you all understand the benefits of a walking neighborhood,
where local people walk the streets regularly, at all hours, visiting
local shops and restaurants, building community. The crime is less and
the economic development is improved. I argue that the fire pits along
San Diego beaches serve to the same ends.

San Diego obviously
identifies itself as a beach community. The opportunity for an evening
bonfire is integral to that experience and to the public image. In the
five years that I have lived here, I have been surfing once, and
actually gotten in the ocean only a hand full of times. However, I have
been to at least 50 gatherings around various beach fire rings, for all
sorts of occasions.

Of all the recreational activities San Diego offers, enjoying a fire in the evening is one of the most accessible to the public.

I'm curious, are they going to remove the hot coal cans as well?
Don't then need to come by and and clean those anyways? Exactly how
many shovel and broom leaners can the city do away with and still get
things done? Let's all bring old cinder blocks to the beach and make
our own rings...and leave them there for others to enjoy.

Dan J. Living in San DiegoThe fire pits have been a great place
to have a group of friends get together that doesn't cost much and you
can bring the kids. Our friends have done it a few time a year for the
24 years I've lived here. Let's do what ever it takes to keep them.
Power is with the people!!

I am very dismayed that the mayor feels that taking out the fire
rings on the city beaches to save money. This will not only force
people use the county beaches fire rings when they want to have a fire
but also take even more away from teh tourist aspect of San DIego's
beaches. Many people come into town and want to spend a day or night or
both at the beach. By removing the fire rings, this will not let
tourists do what they want where they want, which I feel is taking away
form the tourist experience in SD.

I find it rediculous that this is a 'money saving' issue. the fire
pits are a big part to making the beaches live after dark. Thousands of
friends and family utilize these staples all throughout the year. peole
are respectful and clean up after themselves all up and down the beach.
they are a huge part of this community!!!KEEP THE FIRE PITS!!

We just had a beach fire on Crown Point Drive this past Saturday.
What a shame that we have to lose this fun and safe pastime. I
understand trying to save money for the city, but there has to be other
ways that can generate more savings quicker. I myself am tightening my
budget, but I am not using my time to go look for pennies on the
ground. There are smarter ways.

We've enjoyed beach gatherings with family and friends since I was
young. But a beach party without a fire? I think the lack of rings
might bring unsafe, illegal fire activity. Please stop the removal and
re-evaluate this issue! Maybe some groups and organizations can help
out.

The fire pits represent some of my best memories of San Diego and
are one of the small things that pull me back. I currently live
elsewhere but loved the sense of something special that a night by the
bay brings. Maybe they can put a McDonalds or a Pottery Barn in place
of the fire pits. Seriously, we can't find someone who will pay for some advertising on the pits or in the park?

As a native San Diegan, I've had a lot of
great memories and experiences throughout my life with both family and
friends surrounding beach and bonfire activities alike. This is truly
sad to see a major piece of the beach activities torn away from us.
Many a great conversation has been struck over a bonfire evening.

San
Diego is known, amongst many things as a beach community with a
wonderful part of the beach activities existing throughout the night.
There are even meet ups for bonfire activities such as as the bonfire meet up. Yes, business and great connections are made at these events.

Removing fire rings destroys the essence and spirit of one of San Diego's great nighttime activities.

Please,
do not remove the fire rings for many future generations of family and
friends to enjoy. You've done a great job at making San Diego a better
place. This is one piece that should stay intact over the many other
budget deficits and issues you may face.

Please, please, keep the fire rings. If we need to raise money to do so, we will. We will find a way.

As a kayak group, we've used the fire pits weekly for our pot-luck
bbq's and bonfires. Sometimes it's difficult to find one that's not
being used. I'm convinced that the city wants to squeeze more money out
of tax payers. Cutting funds to parks and recreational programs will
always get our attention. I'm sure that if we all got a look at the
budget, we could find much reasonable places to make cuts and save a
lot more than $175,000.

Lindsey Johnson, San DiegoMy family has been having an annual
bonfire for years. I can't believe they are going to take this away.
This city will no longer be America's finest if they keep going in this
direction with budget cuts.

I have so many fond memories growing up with these fire pits. Friday
night bon fires with my parents and friends. Now my children will never
have that experience. I'm truly bummed on my local gov. right now. They
could cut a couple overpaying jobs and keep these fire pits. So sad.....

The firepits have become a tradition for my friends and family since
I was a kid. They are a just as much a part of the beaches as the
volleyball courts and the lifeguard towers. Will they be next to go?

i am very disappointed with the mayors decision to remove one of the
most valuable memories that provide safe, enjoyable entertainment for
the whole family! from roasted marshmellows to the warmth and crackle
pops during the nightly summer fireworks over seaworld...the fire rings
will truly be missed!!! wont mayor sanders listen to our cries and
accept a volunteer group to come in to clean out the rings? i would be
one of the first people on the list to donate my time and work to clean
the rings and maintain this san diego past-time!

I am sick of the local govern-'mental' choices and decisions. Rather
than voice concern, and look for solutions, the city/mayor decides
what's best for us rather than let the people vote on the matter.
Removal of the fire rings has nothing to do with the budget. What most
people don't see is the big picture of what the city is doing. Removing
the fire rings takes away one of the LAST things that you can legally
do on Fiesta Island. The 10 PM curfew and overly aggressive SDPD to
hassle people to leave IMMEDIATELY or be cited, makes people not want
to come back. Now that the rings are gone, you have no reason to be
there after dark. It puts the city in a better position to develop the
Island. Take away another public resource, and turn it into a revenue
generator for the city to blunder up. I have lived in San Diego for 36
years, a native San Diegan. I am ashamed of what the city/area has
become. I am making t-shirts "Welcome to San Diego" NO: ...(long list
of items), now 'Fires @ the beach'

I hope that tourism dies off, and the city tanks even further, because it's the voter/mayor/city council's own fault.

Work a deal with the Chargers, MAKE MONEY, apply that towards your budget def...

Turn
Fiesta Island into a 'state park'... charge $5 fee for admission/daily
parking. Setup primative camping for $xx.xx a night, or $xxx.xx a night
for RVs. 100-200 people a night camping at Fiesta Island, plus 100-200
cars a day for daily parking nets ~$5k-$15k a day... The area could
bring in $125-200k+ revenue per month. Covering the expense of the
staff, maint, vehicles... But that's less than what a multimega hotel
would bring the city. They don't care...

The fire rings have been part fo the SD beach experiance since I
came to SD over 45 years ago. It is a shame to remove them when there
are organizations trying to get the $ to support there use. Is this
another part of the ban on alchol - to reduce the beach experiance?

My family has a tradition of holding a bonfire party once a year at
the beginning of every summer once school ends. We just had our 11th
consecutive one. All the family and many friends attend, making it a
sizable and memorable event every year.

Everyone who comes
enjoys it, and some say it is the highlight of their summer. The
bonfire serves as a reunion and party where everyone eats, plays
sports/games, and relaxes together. I could go on and on but the point
is that the occasion is a very, very special one.

I was appalled
upon hearing that they are going to remove the pits, and I implore the
community to consider the importance of the pits to our bays and
beaches, and recall their own memories of how they have contributed to
their lives.

It would be hugely disappointing and painful if the pits go, and at least one fantastic and beneficial tradition will be lost.

Every summer friends & I go down to Coronado for bonfires - do
you realize how much use they get? It's a struggle to get one. In order
to have a bonfire at night, one must go to the beach early in the
morning & reserve it all day. San Diego is a large city with a
small-town vibe. The bon-fires are a part of that. San Diego is a beach
community and by taking away the pits, it is diminishing what we are
most identified with. We have a 43 million shortfall & you really
think that cutting $259k over 2 years is really going to make a dent it
that? It's like pocket change in comparison. KEEP THE PITS!

Just like the long-standing San Diego tradition of having a beer on
the sand, taking away beach bonfires is the next step in keeping people
off the beaches. Say good-bye for good, because just like drinking beer
at the beach, we will never see the fire pits again. This is all about
Kevin Faulconer paying back wealthy beachfront property owners and big
business who want to cleanse the beaches of the lower classes. They
will push their plans to create Miami Beach or Malibu right here in San
Diego and there is absolutely nothing anyone can do about it. They want
restricted beach access for their planned vacation resorts for the
wealthy. The citizens of San Diego took Faulconer's bait hook, line,
and sinker with the alcohol ban. This is the next logical step. Until
people in San Diego wake up and realize that they are being taken for
suckers, they will be controlled and managed by a municipal government
that has become the enemy of the people and the tool of developers and
big business. Put on the glasses and see what is really going on.

It was my 26th birthday and I wanted a bon-fire on Crown
Point--well, I got there SUPER early on a late June morning to reserve
my pit. You see, in the summer, so many people gather for pit fires
that you have to get there early enough to save one. to finish my
story, my buddy forgot the wood and we were without fire and the sun
was setting. Another group was walking around looking for an empty pit
to use ALL of their wood in....so we merged. That night was one of my
most favorite birthday parties because I went home having a grip of
more friends than what I woke up with. Firepits are a necessity here in
San Diego...they hold us together, they bring us together, they hold
SAN DIEGO together. The city needs to look at the long term effects:
tourism is going to drop the more you take away...KEEP THE PITS HERE
AND WE WILL KEEP THEM CLEAN. There are other solutions to save that
money than taking away our identity, our culture, our fun!!!Thank you,Jessica Lyn Dykes

I have lived in OB since 1980, have used "a fire ring" maybe half a
dozen times in all these years, but I have to say: Those times were
always STAND-OUT SPECIAL. We had boom boxes & percussion instruments & blankets. We sang, laughed & danced. Really fun!!!...til'
the cops would "bring the mood to a low squeal duhh" with interrogative
questions about "cup contents", wood choices, etc... I guess it is their job, BUT... I'm saying this loud & clear:WHERE CAN AN ADULT(53)... HELLO?!? have a simple good time without GOVERNMENT WHOEVERS sticking their "get a life" noses into other people's freedom loving business(es)!?!We are supposedly all adults here. Who made them b-o-s-s ?I say:Somehow, we've got to get our "life's little pleasures" back...or all I can think of is:METROPOLIS; or1984; orMINORITY REPORT; and that's more than scary!!!

THE FIRE PITS are part of the beach community. Visitors enjoy them as well.Hate to say this, but I hope this affects our tourism negatively. Maybe THEN we will get the fire pits back!

Taxes and crime were low, community
colleges were pratically free, traffic was light, you were allowed to
grab a six pack and head to the beach, build a fire and hang out with
friends to the sounds of the Pacific..and life was great.

30
years later, the population has quadrupled, years of liberal
politically correct governmental programs have chipped away at our
traditional basic values and way of life, illegal immigration has
decimated our health and education systems, and overloaded our prison
system, local jails and law enforcement, and we are now being told that
the State of California and City of San Diego is broke, and as our
Governor puts it, facing "financial Armageddon".

Along with
population growth, logically also should tax revenue
grow...significantly. Right? Where the hell did all of the money go?
Where did our incredible Southern California way of life go? It's time
to ask those politicians who have been in charge of this city and
state, along with their respective political parties and whacked out
liberal policies that are directly responsible for the mismanagement of
the growth of our great city and State to explain and act or be run out
of town in disgrace. Explain why they continue to waste our hard earned
tax money on stupid labor deals and wasteful programs, studies and
policies, while continuing to allow an all out invasion of our state by
illegal aliens to the point where they feel that this is the place they
need to cut to compensate for their do good, ridiculous and consistent
destruction up of our great Southern California traditions

Can
anyone explain to me how in the hell could it possibly cost even a
fraction of $259,000 to "maintain" these fire rings for 18 months? I'm,
evidently in the wrong line of work!! Can anyone ever justify raising
one penny of my taxes when these kinds of examples of government waste
go on and on and on, day in and day out, unfettered?

Jerry
Sanders,and any Council member signing on to this ridiculous idea..
keep your hands off of my fire rings, and allow me to have a beer on my
beach, or you will never receive another vote from me and neither will
any politician responsible for this kind of nonsense. Enough is
enough!!!!

So what? Now that we can't drink on the beach they have to find
other ways to limit our fun? I am sick of the city focusing on such
menial issues while bigger problems like violence, drugs, and public
transportation are never confronted.

Excuse me, but has anyone else noticed the super-frilly upgrades in
Law Enforcement vehicles in the last few years?... and that includes
"high-end" road bike & xtras; all-terrain vehicles, beautiful
horses, brand new SUVs; top of the line !!!I absolutely
have nothing against our Police, its just so blatantly obvious that a
HUGE AMOUNT of $$$ was recently spent on NEW & SHINY equipment. I
also noticed Jerry Sander's bodyguards, I believe drive a top-of-the-line BLACK SUV, just to accompany The Mayor, wherever he goes!?!The reason for mentioning my observations is:It hasn't looked "tight" (as far as budget concerns) at the top.

~also: Somewhere I read Kevin Faulkner is backing us up by relaying our offers of:getting
$$$ backers; funding through donations; and just good ole' community
volunteer work. We do this kind of thing all over the city as it is.
The citizens of communities want to take care of their own stuff!
...get it Sanders? You are NOT OUR CARETAKER!!! We can handle it Jerry.
We will care for the pits. Take the whole matter off your hands, off
"your books"...

BUT NO? Unless we come up with $---,---.-- (MONEY, HONEY)YOU WILL NOT GIVE US OUR FIRE RINGS hmm-mm-mmm... sounds like EXTORTION to me !!!!!!!!

Come on Mr. Mayor, let us have fun & go out & play.

You could join us.Have a little fun.See what the GOOD PART of San Diego is all about.

As a lifetime resident, I'm personally offended that the City feels
it can just wipe out our fire pits with out consulting the people who
make this city great. The fire pits not only add to our beaches (which
bring in important tourism dollars), but offer a way to connect with
family and friends in a fun and safe environment. My childhood memories
include many a bonfire with some of the most important people in my
life. It is absurd and obnoxious to think that removing the fire pits
will actually help our city.

There's so much more I could say
in anger and frustration, but I'm hoping better judgment will prevail
and the powers at be (especially the Mayor) will realize the error of
their tragically flawed logic.

Please consider all aspects removing the beach fire pits will have
on the beach communities. I don't know if you've taken time to notice
but the beach has already become pretty vacant due to the alcohol ban.
How much more money do you want to take from local business such as
myself? The dollar trickles down to effect everyone within and outside
the payroll. I’m sure the big-money politicians that rarely visit the
beach communities (or those effected by this) will push to have this
passed and it’s a shame.

I was shocked when I heard a decision was
made to remove the fire pits in all of the beach areas. They must be
one of the best wholesome attractions our city has to offer. I have
spent countless evenings w/ friends and family by the side of the bay,
just soaking up the scenery next to the comforting warmth of the fire.
Surely there must be a variety of ways which this San Diego treasure
can remain part of our cities personality...and an avenue for our
communities to spend quality time together. Not to mention, the cost of
upkeep isn't even a blip on the radar of our cities financial
situation. It may be argued that the firepits removal may actual hurt
neighboring businesses and community appeal. I can't help but
feel that our government hasn't put forth much effort in saving the
fire pits and has taken their existence for granted. I sincerely hope a
resolution is created by either our local government or independent
sponsors that understand the value of such entities within our
community.

The image and experience of enjoying time at these city institutions
cannot be sacrificed! The benefit (budget savings) would be so
incredibly small compared to the cost to the city and its residents of
their removal.

We as a family have enjoyed the Fire Pits for many years! I am
really sad about the City of San Diego taking away a very low cost
amenity for thousands of Residents and Visitors that enjoy our
Coastlines. Let it be known I am not in favor of removing or destroying
these icons for all of us who appreciate our Beaches. Tourism is our
Number ONE commerce in San Diego. We cannot let our shortsighted
government leave us in the dark! Write your Councilmember and/or Mayor!
San Diego County governing members should be helping us too!!!
Catherine Lasota San Diego

The fire rings serve uncountable purposes for hundreds, if not
thousands, of people in San Diego. Sure, some crowds get drunk and
rowdy and that can blemish the value of the rings, but I'm confident in
saying that by far the rings are an appreciated asset for many
beach/bay goers. Maybe the City could do a little efficiency analysis
on the way some services are performed - I'd hazard a guess there are
some efficiency and monetary gains to be made in streamlining how works
are done... what do you think?

There is something so fishy about this. Why can volunteers clean the
highways but it's not safe to clean the fire pits? Why are the fire
pits being removed so quickly before the new budgeting even starts? Why
is there so little interest in exploring any solution other than 1/4
million dollars? Our lives are getting more and more safe and
homogenized. Being in nature, enjoying each others company, watching a
beautiful sunset (like tonight's) with a warm cheery fire. That's what
it's about. This is so destructive to San Diego and the San Diego life
style.

the fact that the city would even think about taking them away is
down right disrespectful to the citizens that this is an out rage!!
don't you people remember what it was like to enjoy the beach? one by
one our right are taken away.........not the pits. they are a source of
joy for years and years. if you are looking to reduce the city debt,
just write more parking tickets, lord knows we can always get more of
those done.

this is absolutely insane and our city is showing that they don't care about it's citizens or it's tourists!

Bonfires on the beach are a tradition in San Diego. It's an
inexpensive, fun experience for family and friends. The expense to
clean them doesn't fit the type of cuts this City Government needs to
make with the current deficit. Take a better look at the choices you're
making.

I am meeting with a few community groups this weekend to discuss our
options. Unfortunately the city requires that we raise at least
$173,000 to keep the rings for 2009. This would be tough to do in small
amounts...but this is still on the table. I'll update the blog as I
learn more.Save the Fire Pits!

The fire pits are essential to san diego's surf and youth culture.
Recently graduating from college, I can't pick a single person in my
phone, or that i vaguely knew on campus, that didn't partake in a beach
bonfire at least once. It's one of the best ways for a bunch of people
to have a lot of fun.

Also, just last night I was enjoying the
largest full moon in recent history and joining an in progress bonfire
was the perfect way to end an outstanding night.

Smore's on the
beach, group ice breakers, bonding, and sweet dates are a few reasons
to spend a drop in the bucket on fire pits and shave some fat off of
some of the useless city workers and mayor appointed positions.

san diego is not san diego without our fire pits. i lived in the bay
area (redwood city) for 6 month a few years back and one thing i missed
most about san diego was coming out to the fire pits with friends and
family and just hanging out. first people ban beer on the beach and now
the fire pits. it's like they don't want us to have any fun on the
beach any more. what's next?? no food because of trash. how about a ban
on people on the beach?? the more we take out of the beach the less
tourist want to come. i know my friends from the bay area will be very
upset if they come down here and didn't see the fire pits. that's one
of the things they really look forward to when they come down here.

I am a student at UCSD and having beach bonfires has been an
integral part of my experience at university. The atmosphere is
relaxed, without worrying about papers, tests, etc. Its great to just
sit, roast some marshmallows and enjoy the company of some good friends
on a beautiful beach. A lot of clubs on campus host beach bonfires for
the opportunity to socialize and meet new people. I've always seen
these clubs, as well as at private bonfires with my own friends, keep
the area cleaned up and as non-disruptive as possible. Removing the
pits is a tremendous loss to the city as the experience of a bonfire on
the beach isn't available everywhere. We have a unique experience
available to the people in San Diego. It should be kept that way.

San Diego isn't San Diego without the fire pits. The fire pits are a
big part of everyones life, there has been so many memories. I think
that not onlh will faithful San Diegans not be able to have a bon fire,
but the businesses around the beaches will be hurt, like for example,
"OH my i forgot the lighter fluid, i have to go get some, im going to
the liquor store right on the corner." (true story) Things like that
will be happening, EVERYONE will be loosing money.

Why don't the people who have to do community service go and clean out the pits for their time.

It shouldn't even be a question or a problem... this should be the least of peoples worries.

It's
also going to cause more danger because people will start fires
anywhere and then leave all the shrapinal on the beach and someone will
walk a long and step on a nail, or better yet go into the ocean and
KILL everything in it. The ocean already has enough peoblems trying to
keep itself clean.

What is this WORLD comming to?

PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF PAYING THE PRICE OF THE DUMB GOVERNMENT AND THEIR ECONOMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

San Diego isn't San Diego without the fire pits. The fire pits are a
big part of everyones life, there has been so many memories. I think
that not onlh will faithful San Diegans not be able to have a bon fire,
but the businesses around the beaches will be hurt, like for example,
"OH my i forgot the lighter fluid, i have to go get some, im going to
the liquor store right on the corner." (true story) Things like that
will be happening, EVERYONE will be loosing money.

Why don't the people who have to do community service go and clean out the pits for their time.

It shouldn't even be a question or a problem... this should be the least of peoples worries.

It's
also going to cause more danger because people will start fires
anywhere and then leave all the shrapinal on the beach and someone will
walk a long and step on a nail, or better yet go into the ocean and
KILL everything in it. The ocean already has enough peoblems trying to
keep itself clean.

My boyfriend and I can't afford much right now...we don't get to go
to fancy restaurants or out to movies. What we really enjoy is a nice
romantic fire at the bay. Losing the fire pits would be such a huge
loss!!! There is something so magical about standing in front of a big
bonfire!! Especially when your with the one you love.

I was
born in San Diego and have always enjoyed having bonfires. It is a fun
experience for all ages and really brings people together. Best of all
it is free!!

It is bad enough that they had to ban drinking
and smoking because of certain people not being able to handle
themselves. Too lose the fire pits as well would really be a shame.
PLEASE DON"T TAKE AWAY THE FIRE PITS!!!!!

Twice a year, my friends and buy lobsters from the local beach grocery stores and cook them in big pots in the fire pits. Without these fire pits, I am afraid our tradition will be lost.

There
has got to be more solutions and compromises than an "all the pits or
none" approach. This kind of digging in the heels when it comes to the
budget is what is causing the mess in Sacramento. We elect and pay our
city council and Mayor to represent our interests. It is time that they
think about the community's interests rather than their own.I am sure that they can tighten the budget in their own offices a little more before they take away a part of San Diego pride.

I use the fire rings every weekend in Ocean Beach. They are a great
way to spend an inexpensive weekend in San Diego and I believe are
important to many. I find it hard to believe that by eliminating the
fire pits and two jobs that the City of San Diego is going to save
money. I know the fire rings are good for the local business and must
bring revenue from taxes. I believe it to be shameful that the City of
San Diego has passed the buck off to us when our taxes we pay are
supposed to pay for these services. Effectively they have raised my
taxes with the word donation. The City Council's inability to manage
funds and contracts has led to this and in most companies I have been
associated with their performance would grounds for dismissal.

1. We heard that the high cost was for a city employee. A way to
save the firepits and allow volunteers to clean the pits would be for
the City of San Diego to apply for National Marine Sanctuary status.
Then the volunteers would be trained by NOAA on proper protocol.

2.
For the Point Loma Association, they hire the Urban Corps to work on
landscaping and brush clearance for a very low amount of money. The
Urban Corps of San Diego County already has the liability insurance to
work on public sites for the City of San Diego.

The people that control the finances in San Diego are politicians,
not businessmen. If they were businessmen, they would look at the WHOLE
picture. As a financial person, I would be willing to bet that the
revenues generated by people who use the firepits exceeds the $120,000
it costs to maintain them. The people who use them need to drive to the
beach, they buy food and beverages, they go out in OB after to eat and
drink. They generate tax dollars for our city. They also get parking
tickets, another source of revenue. These over zealous watchdogs of San
Diego's finances need to pay attention to the city employees that are
robbing the city blind. Does CCDC ring a bell? How can the most
beautiful costal city in California, with our tourist trade and
attractions, be in financial trouble? My dad told me to watch the
pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves. Accountability
city workers, accountability. Mr Mayor, do the job we elected you to
do. Take care of our city. If you don't we will elect a new one.